Community prepares to say goodbye to slain deputy

LEBANON, Ky. (WKYT) - People who knew Marion County Sheriff's Deputy Anthony Rakes say it's no surprise he stopped to help what he thought was a stranded driver early Wednesday morning, but what happened after he stopped has left the county reeling.

"He was full of compassion. He was the same person on the job as he was off," said reverend Bo Sherrell.

Sherrell says he can remember Rakes since he was born. On Saturday he'll help the deputy's family say goodbye when he officiates his funeral.

"All through the county, people are talking about it. That's the impact he had," Sherrell said.

The 31-year-old died Wednesday. Kentucky State Police say he was driving on Highway 68 when he saw a car stopped in the westbound lane around 2 a.m. When Rakes approached the car he was shot. The driver sped off.

"He thought this man might have had trouble with his car, he would help you in any way he could," said Glenn Simpson. Simpson is Rakes' cousin and lived just down the street from him.

After the shooting police arrested 49-year-old Dewayne Shipp and charged him with the deputy's murder. They say Shipp had a self inflicted gunshot wound, and he was taken to University Hospital in Louisville for treatment.

Flags across the county are now lowered. Sherrell says Rakes had wanted to be a deputy, since he was a child.

"He had these two little cap guns he would carry, he would say 'Freeze!.' He wanted to be an officer or deputy since he was little," Sherrell said.

State Police say Shipp is expected to be in the hospital for several days, doctors are trying to determine if they'll need to do surgery on his leg.

Rakes' funeral is expected to draw hundreds of police officers from across the state.

Visitation will be Friday at 5 p.m. at Bosley Funeral Home in Lebanon.

A second visitation will be at 11. a.m. Saturday at Marion County High School. Rakes' funeral will also be at the high school, at 1 p.m.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.